Chemotherapy

Definition

Chemotherapy is medication(s) used to kill cancer cells. The medications are toxic to fast-growing cells like cancer cells.

Reasons for Procedure

Chemotherapy may be the main treatment or part of a treatment plan. It can be used to:

Cure certain cancers

Decrease the chance of cancer returning after it has been removed through surgery

Stop the growth of cancers that can not be removed

Reduce the size of tumors before surgery

Attack cancer that has spread to other parts of the body

Shrink tumors that are causing problems

Side Effects

Chemotherapy drugs attack fast-growing cells. All cancer cells are fast-growing but certain healthy cells are also fast-growing cells. Chemotherapy can damage these healthy cells which leads to side effects. The exact types of side effects will vary. They will depend on the type of chemotherapy treatment and which healthy cells are affected.

Cells that line the mouth, stomach, and intestines are fast-growing cells. Chemotherapy can damage these cells and cause:

How Long Will It Take?

The length of treatment will depend on the type of treatment, the number of medications, and the amount needed. A session may be taking a pill or an infusion over several hours. Some types of chemotherapy may be continuously given through a pump.

Will It Hurt?

The delivery of the chemotherapy will usually not cause pain. Side effects may start in the hours and days after treatment.

Average Hospital Stay

Most often, you can leave after the medication is delivered. Some chemotherapy treatments will require a stay in the hospital. This may be about 2-3 days.

A hospital stay may be needed if there are certain complications, such as severe vomiting.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

Treatment after chemotherapy may include:

Injections of an immune-system or blood cell boosting drug

Other drugs, including steroids, allergy medications, sedatives, and antibiotics

At Home

Recovery time at home will depend on the type of treatment and your reaction to it. Some will need longer periods of rest than other and have greater impact on daily tasks.

Follow up tests will be needed to make sure the treatment is working as expected. The tests will also help plan future treatments.

Call Your Doctor

Contact your doctor if you are having difficulty managing chemotherapy or you develop complications such as:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Sores in your mouth, throat, or lips

White patches in your mouth

Difficulty/pain with swallowing

Diarrhea or constipation

Vomiting that prevents you from holding down fluids

Blood in your vomit

Easy bruising

Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, new vaginal bleeding

Blood in your urine or stool

Burning or frequency of urination

Chest pain

Severe weakness

Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or cough

Calf pain, swelling, or redness in the legs or feet

Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, or odor

New pain or pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given

Numbness, tingling, or pain in your extremities

Joint pain, stiffness, rash, or other new symptoms

Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or a pimple at the site of your IV

Headache, stiff neck

Hearing or vision changes

Ringing in your ears

Exposure to someone with an infectious illness, including chickenpox

Weight gain or loss of 10 pounds or more

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Chemotherapy and you: Support for people with cancer.
National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.gov/publications/patient-education/chemo-and-you. Updated June 2011.
Accessed November 22, 2016.